Chess Puzzle #soSlQ — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2038 · Expert · equality, long, middlegame, trapped piece.

Position

White: king h1; queen c6; rooks a1/f1; bishops d2/d3; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/f8; bishops c5/c8; pawns a6/b5/e6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bh6 — bishop d2→h6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bb7 — bishop c8→b7. Opponent replies Bg5 (bishop h6→g5).
  3. Best move: Bxc6 — bishop b7→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxe7 (bishop g5→e7, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Bxe7 — bishop c5→e7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame, trapped piece. The key move is Bb7.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/4q2p/p1Q1p1p1/1pb5/8/3B1N2/PPPB2PP/R4R1K w - - 1 18

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.